Justice for the Death of Bijlee, the Elephant

Bijlee, a 58 year old female elephant, lost the fight for her life after being found in critical condition, abandoned on the side of the road in a suburb of Mumbai, India on June 11. Bijlee had been kept strapped on a crane as she could not stand or sit due to weak hind leg bones. Her body was bleeding at several places, as she has abrasions and maggot infested sores due to lying on the ground. Despite the voice of animal welfare activists, several veterinarians and experts from different parts of India to revive Bijlee, her condition progressively deteriorated and she passed away on June 30th.

Bijli, who was suffering from obesity, had collapsed on June 11 after her hind limbs could not bear her weight due to degenerative joint disease bought on by the obesity. For years, she had been fed everything, (expect a proper elephant diet- in the wild they live only on forest grass, leaves and water), by her owner Rati Ram Maharaj Goswami,-who has several other elephants which he uses to earn money.

Bijlee was one of the many "begging elephants" in India and had apparently been used during marriage ceremonies by the couple who own her. Elephants continue to be exploited on the streets of India where they are forced to beg on streets, in temples and perform in marriages or circuses.

Dr. Yaduraj who radiographed Bijlee said, “Her condition remained critical and her prognosis was not good.” He also said, “Long term and continuous neglect and abuse by her owner has had a profoundly negative impact on her health.” He suspected she might pass this week and unfortunately she has.

Elephants forced to walk on hot pavement and beg on the streets of Mumbai violates both the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. We ask that the owner of Bijlee, Rati Ram Maharaj Goswami, be charged with Animal Cruelty, continuous neglect and abuse.

Bijlee, a 58 year old female elephant, lost the fight for her life after being found in critical condition, abandoned on the side of the road in a suburb of Mumbai, India on June 11. Bijlee had been kept strapped on a crane as she could not stand or sit due to weak hind leg bones. Her body was bleeding at several places, as she has abrasions and maggot infested sores due to lying on the ground. Despite the voice of animal welfare activists, several veterinarians and experts from different parts of India to revive Bijlee, her condition progressively deteriorated and she passed away on June 30th.

Bijli, who was suffering from obesity, had collapsed on June 11 after her hind limbs could not bear her weight due to degenerative joint disease bought on by the obesity. For years, she had been fed everything, (expect a proper elephant diet- in the wild they live only on forest grass, leaves and water), by her owner Rati Ram Maharaj Goswami,-who has several other elephants which he uses to earn money.

Bijlee was one of the many "begging elephants" in India and had apparently been used during marriage ceremonies by the couple who own her. Elephants continue to be exploited on the streets of India where they are forced to beg on streets, in temples and perform in marriages or circuses.

Dr. Yaduraj who radiographed Bijlee said, “Her condition remained critical and her prognosis was not good.” He also said, “Long term and continuous neglect and abuse by her owner has had a profoundly negative impact on her health.” He suspected she might pass this week and unfortunately she has.

Elephants forced to walk on hot pavement and beg on the streets of Mumbai violates both the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. We ask that the owner of Bijlee, Rati Ram Maharaj Goswami, be charged with Animal Cruelty, continuous neglect and abuse.